Caps coach angers New Yorkers with MSG insult

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MIKE ZEISBERGER, QMI Agency

Apr 18, 2011

, Last Updated: 6:31 PM ET

NEW YORK -- Bruce Boudreau might want to wear a rainsuit and earplugs when he stands behind the bench Wednesday night, given all the verbal abuse and stale beer he might be showered with by livid New York Ranger fans.

Boudreau certainly did not endear himself to New Yorkers Monday when he ripped Madison Square Garden during an interview on a Washington radio station, showing little respect for a building that is billed as "The World's Most Famous Arena."

The Washington Capitals coach also suggested that Caps fans are more vocal than their New York counterparts, a comment Rangers supporters assuredly will consider an insult.

You can bet Boudreau will be peppered with lots of colourful language during Game 4 of the Caps-Rangers first-round series at MSG Wednesday, with four-letter words expected to be front and centre.

The public outcry in New York was ignited when Boudreau, speaking on The Kirk McEwen and Mike O'Meara Show on 105.9 The Edge, insinuated that MSG was pretty much an overhyped dump.

"Well, the one thing, its reputation is far better than the actual building. I mean, it's nothing," Boudreau said. "The locker rooms are horrible. The benches are horrible. There's no room for anything.

"But the reputation of being in Madison Square Garden is what makes it famous. Also, our building (the Verizon Center) is a lot louder, too. So, I mean, they can say what they want, but it's not that loud in there."

The Rangers, of course, disagreed.

"I don't know what their coach is saying and I'm not worried about that," forward Brian Boyle said. "The building was rocking and we had a great time. It was a blast. The crowd was great."

The Rangers gave the Garden faithful plenty to cheer about Sunday, posting a 3-2 victory to narrow Washington's lead in this best-of-seven series to 2-1.

"Maybe it will amp up a little bit now with the series being 2-1, but I thought it was loud to begin with," rookie Derek Stepan told reporters. "I thought it was great. It was a loud building, an awesome atmosphere.

"Both rinks have been awesome atmospheres."

During every Rangers home game, a tradition that has endured for decades involves a fan whistling loudly followed by thousands chanting in unison "Potvin Sucks," a reference to former New York Islanders defenceman Denis Potvin.

Come Wednesday, don't be surprised if "Boudreau Sucks!" becomes a popular cry as well.